Stories from Wednesday, March 11, 1992

Declines last year in the number of traffic deaths in both Missouri and Illinois offer encouragement that progress is being made on a number of fronts in efforts to reduce highway fatalities. Not only are motorists to be commended for their safer driving practices last year, but the legislatures, highway departments and law enforcement agencies of both states deserve credit for measures they have implemented over the years that have helped reduce the fatality counts...

There must be days in the arena of government when the signals of regulation seem as haphazardly arranged as the elements of trail mix. It isn't necessarily that bureaucracy has grown to such a gargantuan size that the left hand of policy never knows what the right hand of protection is doing, though there must be plenty of that. Rather, we find instances where all parties are enlightened, and still nothing makes sense...

U.S. Sen. Christopher S. Bond says he has some unfinished business in Washington. "The decisions in Washington today will shape the lives of people and the kind of world that is evolving in the next century," said Bond, who announced his candidacy for a second term in the Senate here Tuesday...

Cleanup of the Kem-Pest Superfund site in Cape Girardeau will be the topic of a public meeting Tuesday at Victorian Inn. Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to answer questions about cleanup of the site and health-related concerns...

KENNETT -- Ernest H. (Bud) Hunt has been named editor of The Daily Dunklin Democrat newspaper. He assumed his duties last week. Hunt has a varied background in the newspaper industry and comes to Kennett from Blytheville, Ark., where he was publisher/editor of the daily newspaper, The Courier News, and a weekly sister publication, The Osceola Times...

A statewide task force may help shape the future of higher education in Missouri. The chairman of the task force, John Lichtenegger of Jackson, said Tuesday that the group will focus on everything from institutional missions to funding for the state's public colleges and universities...

Winter made an unwelcome and untimely return to the Cape Girardeau area Tuesday, making seven consecutive days of 70-plus degree temperatures last week just a pleasant memory. The memory of those warm, sunny days and blooming vegetation was rudely shattered by an outbreak of cold air that is expected to nip a lot of early spring growth in the bud. ...

Telethons have become commonplace these days. But a March 22 telethon here will be anything but commonplace. The Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau will host a telethon to raise money for the preservation of Old Lorimier Cemetery...

Half of Cape Girardeau County Democrats who participated in Tuesday's presidential caucus chose uncommitted delegates. Presidential hopeful Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas won three delegates from Cape Girardeau County and Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts took two delegates...

GAYLE SCHUMER Occupation: Licensed practical nurse at Cape LaCroix skilled nursing facility. Pet Peeve: "The double standard." The best part of my life is: "Making the elderly happy." What do you do in your spare time: "Shop for antiques and sew." I've always looked up to. Why? "My parents.They taught me to respect people for who they are."...

William H. Moon, the executive director of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements for the Missouri General Assembly, has been named the new physical plant director at Southeast Missouri State University. Moon replaces Vince Seyer, who has retired after 43 years of service to the university. Seyer had served as physical plant director since 1974...

JACKSON -- The Jackson school board got a comprehensive report Monday on remedial reading programs now in use in the district. Board members also heard about a new first-grade reading program from New Zealand that is attracting a lot of attention in the United States...

High school juniors from across the region will explore the campus of Southeast Missouri State University during Show Me Day March 21. The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the Show Me Center. Following registration, a program and complimentary dinner will be held...

MOUND CITY -- Donnie Calvin, 57, of Mound City, died Tuesday, March 10, 1992 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He is the son of the late Charlie and Stella Calvin. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mound City and was a retired school bus driver. He was also a U.S. Army veteran and a refrigeration mechanic and air conditioner repairman...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Bobby Gene Ritch, 47, of East Prairie, died Monday, March 9, 1992, at Hunter Acres Retirement Home in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 5, 1944, in Beebe, Ark., son of Aaron and Frances Ritch. He and Dorothy Sue Busby were married June 21, 1975...

SIKESTON -- Dennis E. Walker, 83, of Sikeston, died Monday, March 9, 1992, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born July 4, 1908, at Bernie, son of David Charles and Bertha Faye Crawford Walker. He and Lola A. Ray were married Nov. 7, 1926, in Piggott, Ark...

MARQUAND -- Elwood Mouser, 80, of Marquand, died Tuesday, March 10, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Oct. 3, 1911, at Marquand, son of Charles E. and Alice A. Moyers Mouser. Mouser was a retired farmer and was an International Harvester salesman at Madison County Implement Co. 30 years. He was a charter member of Mt. View Mission Church...

Donnie Orlowski, 53, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, Jan. 27, 1992, at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. She was born May 7, 1938, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Henry "Peck" and Blondell Eaker. She married Dr. Frank J. Orlowski...

MILLERSVILLE -- Hal W. Goddard, 44, of Millersville, a teacher at Jackson R-2 Schools, died Tuesday, March 10, 1992, at his home. He was born Oct. 17, 1947, in Cape Girardeau, son of Doyle Wayne and Martha Nale Goddard. He and Peggy Ruth Estes were married June 23, 1967, in Cape Girardeau...

MORLEY -- Georgia P. Griffin, 71, of Morley, died Monday, March 9, 1992, at Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 31, 1921, at Cardwell, daughter of George W. and Beulah P. Flippo Hagy. She married John Murphy Griffin Feb. 17, 1940, at Benton. Griffin was a member of Morley Baptist Church...

Mary Golden Ellinghouse, 87, of St. Louis, died Sunday, March 8, 1992, at Lucy Lee Hospital in Poplar Bluff. She was born April 1, 1904, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Arthur Clarence and Della Mae Rutledge Harper. She married Frank Blain Ellinghouse in 1927. He died in 1964...

Herbert Spears Jr., 65, 220 Pearl, died Tuesday, March 10, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Oct. 3, 1926, in St. Louis, son of William Herbert and Ella Jones Spears. Spears had been a truck driver at Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, and was a member of American Legion. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Colon, 2541 Fairlane, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 10:54 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 1992. Name, Teressa Kelby. Weight, 7 pounds 5 ounces. Third daughter. Mrs. Colon is the former Amy Dumas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Doyle A. Dumas of Cape Girardeau. She is a registered nurse at Southeast Hospital. Colon is a sales representative at Coad Chevrolet, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Marrero of Lorain, Ohio...

Proper food handling is the topic of a series of food handling classes being conducted at Cape Girardeau and Jackson over the next two weeks. "The classes include lectures, slides and handout literature concerning basic storage, handling and preparations of foods to prevent salmonella," said Jonell McNeely, environmental sanitarian with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center in Cape Girardeau...

Voters will have a chance April 7 to enlarge the boundaries of Public Water Supply District No. 2 of Cape Girardeau County. The district's attorney, Joe T. Buerkle of Jackson, said the circuit court of the county found March 3 that it was in the public interest to enlarge and adjust the district's boundaries. Buerkle said the district filed its application for enlargement with the court...

SIKESTON -- The 4th annual Bank of Sikeston Home and Garden show will be held March 13-15 at the Kingsway Mall in Sikeston. More than 40 exhibitors are expected to display their goods and services during the three-day show. "We're expecting a large crowd for the show," said Steve McPheeters, vice president of the bank. "We've been attracting 5,000 to 6,000 each year and are expecting an even larger turnout this year...

JACKSON -- Josh Lange, 9, of Jackson was the top seller of Boy Scout popcorn in the district. He sold 155 units by going door to door throughout the city. Lange is a member of Pack 12 in Jackson. For his efforts, Lange won a 10-speed bicycle from the Boy Scout Council...

A legislative forum to discuss the Missouri Association for Social Welfare's 1992 legislative priorities, including the Hunger Relief Act of 1992, will be held March 20 at Southeast Missouri State University. The event is sponsored by the Missouri Association for Social Welfare and Southeast's department of social work. The forum is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Dempster Auditorium of Crisp Hall...

Michelle Bradshaw wants to get her students out of her class at L.J. Schultz Middle School. Bradshaw is the seventh-grade behavior disorders teacher. "We do many individualized activities with the students so they can work on their own weaknesses," Bradshaw said...

Cape Girardeau is recalling events that have highlighted the city's history as preparations are being made to observe the bi-centennial. One of the interesting stories concerns Mrs. Marie Watkins Oliver, the creator of Missouri's state flag, which was officially adopted by the state March 22, 1913...